Ex-Egypt president Mubarak ‘not in Sharjah’, says UAE

Media speculation that a plane carrying ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak landed in Sharjah on Sunday has been rebuffed by the emirate’s Department of Civil Aviation.

The UAE’s state-run news agency confirmed that the former president, whose 30-year-rule of Egypt ended on Friday night, was not in Sharjah.

There is no shortage of speculation as to Mubarak’s whereabouts. The 82-year-old fled with his family to Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh just hours before stepping down, but his next move is unknown.

In his last address to the nation last Thursday, Mubarak pledged to “die on the soil of Egypt.

Theodore Karasik, from the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis in Dubai, told Arabian Business there was still a good chance Mubarak could flee to the UAE.

“There is a 50 percent chance he would come here,” he said. “In the past, [the UAE] has been where exiles or leaders who are exiled from their countries come because it is known as a place where politics do not occur. It maintains security and stability.

January 29, 2011

Activists in Jeddah called on Thursday for a protest against poor infrastructure after deadly floods swamped Saudi Arabia’s second biggest city, a rare expression of dissent in the absolute monarchy.

A mass message via BlackBerry Messenger on Thursday urged Jeddah residents to join a demonstration on Saturday in an unusual move in the Gulf Arab state, at a time of spreading anti-government unrest across the Arab world.

"On Saturday there will be a demonstration in front of the municipality for Jeddah ... gather as many people as you can," the message ran. "We need brave men and women. We don't want any more lies ... We have to do something."

The call for action in the top oil exporter, where public protest is not tolerated, comes as open defiance of authoritarian rulers spreads, with protests in Egypt and Yemen inspired by unrest which toppled Tunisia's president this month.

Streets in the port city, which lacks a functioning drainage system, remained partly submerged on Thursday, a day after the floods sent thousands fleeing to higher ground, with authorities rescuing stranded residents using helicopters and dinghies.

At least four people were killed in the deluge.

Another message also sent via Blackberry urged all government and private sector employees to hold a general strike next week in protest at the authorities' neglect of the city's infrastructure.

It was not known who sent the messages.

"No work for the full week until they find a solution to the roads of Jeddah," the message said.